What does the "steep" portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicate?

What does the "steep" portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicate?

• A. High O2 affinity for hemoglobin
• B. Low CO2 production
• C. Reduced hemoglobin affinity due to tissue oxygen demand
• D. Improved oxygenation of the blood

Answer: (C)

The "steep" portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicates a relatively low affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to tissues. In this steep region, small changes in the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) can lead to significant changes in the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. This property is vital during conditions of increased oxygen demand by tissues, such as during exercise or in states of hypoxia. When tissues are actively metabolizing, they produce higher amounts of carbon dioxide and other metabolites, leading to a lower pH (Bohr effect) and promoting the release of oxygen from hemoglobin. This ensures that more oxygen is available to meet the increased metabolic needs of these tissues. Hence, the steep nature of the curve signifies that at low pO2, hemoglobin is willing to release oxygen more readily, effectively responding to tissue oxygenation demands.

The "steep" portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve indicates a relatively low affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, which is crucial for delivering oxygen to tissues. In this steep region, small changes in the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) can lead to significant changes in the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen. This property is vital during conditions of increased oxygen demand by tissues, such as during exercise or in states of hypoxia. When tissues are actively metabolizing, they produce higher amounts of carbon dioxide and other metabolites, leading to a lower pH (Bohr effect) and promoting the release of oxygen from hemoglobin. This ensures that more oxygen is available to meet the increased metabolic needs of these tissues.

Hence, the steep nature of the curve signifies that at low pO2, hemoglobin is willing to release oxygen more readily, effectively responding to tissue oxygenation demands.